When governments in North America, Europe and elsewhere introduced bans on smoking in pubs, restaurants and workplaces, the justification was clear: Second-hand smoke was harmful to staff and bystanders. Those advocating for prohibition repeatedly said that trampling property rights and removing freedoms was not about controlling individual lifestyle choices but about protecting others from involuntary exposure.

The truth is becoming obvious; the health argument was merely a convenient excuse. The latest proposals in many different jurisdictions to ban vaping and nicotine pouch use in public spaces reveal that the real aim has always been to harass and stigmatize nicotine users, regardless of whether their choices pose any risk to anyone.

With combustible cigarettes, the case for some re

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